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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tThe radish festival on December 23rd is a huge deal here, attracting hundreds of people to the Zocalo. \u00a0We decided to go early but, even then, it was mobbed with a long (2-hour) line up. \u00a0Someone took pity on us and directed us to a special entrance for the aged and infirm! \u00a0Swallowing our pride, off we went and got instant access and prime viewing. \u00a0Originally it began with farmers decorating their vegetable stalls to attract customers but now it has morphed into a competition with money prizes. \u00a0The radishes are different from our diminutive ones and all competitors had to source them from the government. \u00a0It was a one day event and the radishes had to be misted all the time to keep them looking white and fresh.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tOn the 28th was my cooking class with Nora and I was totally impressed with its professionalism. \u00a0There were nine of us, a family of four and a gay male couple from Colorado, two young women, one from Dublin, the other from Belgium and me. \u00a0 \u00a0We started off with an explanation of the cuisine and how it had been a major factor in Oaxaca being made a UNESCO World heritage site. \u00a0Then we went to the Mercado, where R and I had been doing our shopping, without any real understanding of the range of produce available. \u00a0We found out about the wide range of peppers, the special cheeses, the organic vegetables and the herbs. \u00a0Then it was back to Nora\u2019s kitchen where we all donned aprons as it was very hands on. \u00a0We produced guacamole on cactus leaves, chicken soup, tamales and chocolate dessert. \u00a0Everyone was happy to pitch in, chopping, grilling, stirring. \u00a0We individually assembled the tamales from the chicken mole we made as a group. \u00a0Then we all sat around the beautifully appointed dining room table to sample the results of our labours. \u00a0Robin got to eat with us.<\/p>\n Another highlight was our visit to the Oaxacan Museum of Culture, which houses just about all the treasures found in the major tomb at Monte Alban. \u00a0 It was discovered in the 1930s by an American archeologist and the find was on a par with Tutankhamen, with gold, silver, jade and thousands of intricate beads, which the team had painstakingly restrung.<\/p>\n Another high spot was a visit to a very special garden, recommended by a volunteer at the library. \u00a0It was a thirty minute cab ride away and even the cab driver didn\u2019t know where he was headed. \u00a0It was owned by the designer of the botanical garden and was a real secret garden hidden away behind high bamboo screens. \u00a0It was a true Mexican garden full of cacti and succulents, looking stunning under the hot sun. \u00a0The garden art ranged from tiny dragon flies perched on plants to huge sculptures – quirky but just right. \u00a0There was a water feature full of fish that was large enough to accommodate a dugout canoe full of succulents.<\/p>\n
\nDecember 24th marks the Christmas celebration here and we were fortunate to be invited to Nora\u2019s parents\u2019 B&B for the festivities. \u00a0At six, a group of about thirty, guests, family and neighbours, gathered in the courtyard and, as darkness fell, were given lanterns and candles. \u00a0Half the group went out into the street to represent Mary and Joseph, while the inside group were the inn keepers. \u00a0We all had song sheets and sang alternate verses (in Spanish). \u00a0The seventh verse was sung in unison, celebrating Mary and Joseph having found room at the inn and the two groups were reunited inside. \u00a0We then all sang carols together. \u00a0After that, it was pi\u00f1ata time and first the kids and then some adults destroyed two pi\u00f1atas and everyone gathered up the candy and money that spilled out. \u00a0Nora\u2019s mom provided mulled wine , a buffet supper and a good time was had by all. \u00a0I really wished I had more fluent Spanish to express our appreciation for the generous hospitality.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/robinmcneil.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/7E23F19E-077E-4E97-8A80-2CC4FB10FB05-150x113.jpeg\")
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